ON 8
"A lot of good designers can't get into the tents and end up doing terrible shows in dodgy locations," says Howard McLaren, Vice President, Senior Artistic Director. So, in 2005 Bb. decided to invite two deserving young designers - Thakoon and Boudicca - to show at The House of Bumble. We closed the salon for the week and brought in a proper show producer and gave the designers practically everything - sound, light and hair. Since then, our 8th floor has a reputation as a launch pad for fashion iconoclasts and innovators - and as one of the premier small show venues (with the best view in the Meatpacking District). We choose the designers very carefully – ones with incredible talent, but who still need a little support. Sari Gueron, Maria Cornejo, Jeremy Laing, Vicente Villarin, VPL and Vena Cava are among the growing list of designers who have shown here. "It makes having a show possible for these designers," says McLaren. "We help them when they need it most - we really care about fashion - this isn't a publicity stunt for us."